FIVE GAME UNBEATEN RUN ENDED

lfreton Town returned from freezing Essex on Thursday night having lost 1-2 to Braintree Town on a heavily sanded pitch.

Without top scorer Paul Clayton sidelined through injury, Nicky Law's squad was further depleted with knocks sustained by Josh Law and Ben Tomlinson during the course of the game.

The hosts' win was triggered by a goal inside 19 seconds that caught Alfreton cold, despite the Reds having taken the kick-off themselves.

The ball was booted upfield by keeper Nathan McDonald for Ben Wright to tee up Sean Marks, whose low drive from 12 yards nestled in the corner of the net.

The setback heralded a dire first half for the visitors who could not muster a single shot on target, while Braintree fared little better with Kenny Davis twice firing wide while Reds' keeper Jordan Pickford saved at the feet of Marks in the 24th minute.

HT: Braintree Town 10 Alfreton Town

A much livelier second half saw Dan Bradley fire his 50th minute free-kick into the Braintree wall before Pickford held Marks' angled drive, then back at the other end Louie Soares' shot needed to be headed clear by Dean Wells.

McDonald was finally tested on 66 minutes when Steven Hewitt's corner found Tomlinson, whose header almost crept under the crossbar.

Pickford competently saved an effort from Davis but then failed to hold Sparkes' 69th minute cross, and had to rely on Connor Franklin's clearance.

Seven minutes from time Jordan Rose tripped Marks and Davis converted the penalty to double Braintree's advantage, but Alfreton at least managed a late consolation.

Four minutes of added time had elapsed when Soares latched on to Hewitt's header to fire low past McDonald from just inside the area, and there was no time left for the game to be restarted.